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Winemaker Notes

It is characterized by an almost black color deep in his younger years. A very expressive nose exhales the scents of black fruits and spices. In the mouth presents many Senejac scale and intensity whilst remaining smooth and civilized by the finesse of its tannins. This is a charming and distinguished wine to drink young for its fullness and fruit or even better let it age slowly to find the race of its terroir.

Chateau Senejac

A former Baronial home, the first known owner of Chateau Senejac was in the sixteenth century, a rider, Nicolas de Blois, who married Jeanne Fleix, lady Blanquefort. No doubt does one he planted a vineyard from this century. In the seventeenth century, a great hunter, Marshal d'Ornano, Governor of Guyenne, took possession of the field. in mid-nineteenth century, Senejac vinified the equivalent of 100 000 bottles, much less today. Nobles and gentry, then succeeded at the head of the property that was bought in 1860 by the Earl of Guigne. New impetus to raise the vineyard up to the best Medoc crus was given since its acquisition in 1999 by Lorraine Cordier, also owner of Chateau Talbot, Grand Cru Classe Saint Julien. Following the death of Lorraine Cordier in 2011, the property was taken over by his sister Nancy Bignon Cordier.

The vineyard stretches its Sénéjac ridges on a plateau overlooking the town of Pian. The 37 hectares of vines in one piece are planted on gravelly soils typically deep Médoc.

The vines are composed of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 37% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. In 1983, the entire vineyard was drained and part of the priests fishponds to allow a better flow of surface waters. The vineyards are maintained in the traditional manner and are subject to the most attentive care.

Haut Medoc

While it claims the same basic landscape as the Medoc—only every so slightly elevated above river level—the Haut Medoc is home to all of the magnificent chateaux of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, creating no lack of beautiful sites to see.

These chateaux, residing over the classed-growth cru in the villages of Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St-Julien, Pauillac and St. Estephe are within the Haut Medoc appellation. Though within the confines of these villages, any classed-growth chateaux will most certainly claim village or cru status on their wine labels.

Interestingly, some classed-growth cru of the Haut Medoc fall outside of these more famous villages and can certainly be a source of some of the best values in Bordeaux. Deep in color, and concentrated in ripe fruit and tannins, these wines (typically Cabernet Sauvignon-based) often prove the same aging potential of the village classed-growths. Among these, the highest ranked chateaux are Chateau La Lagune and Chateau Cantemerle.

Bordeaux Blends

One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World, especially in California, Washington and Australia. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, these are sometimes referred to in the US as “Meritage” blends. In Bordeaux itself, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates in wines from the Left Bank of the Gironde River, while the Right Bank focuses on Merlot. Often, blends from outside the region are classified as being inspired by one or the other.

In the Glass

Cabernet-based, Left-Bank-styled wines are typically more tannic and structured, while Merlot-based wines modeled after the Right Bank are softer and suppler. Cabernet Franc can add herbal notes, while Malbec and Petit Verdot contribute color and structure. Wines from Bordeaux lean towards a highly structured and earthy style whereas New World areas (as in the ones named above) tend to produce bold and fruit-forward blends. Either way, Bordeaux red blends generally have aromas and flavors of black currant, cedar, plum, graphite, and violet, with more red fruit flavors when Merlot makes up a high proportion of the blend.

Perfect Pairings

Since Bordeaux red blends are often quite structured and tannic, they pair best with hearty, flavorful and fatty meat dishes. Any type of steak makes for a classic pairing. Equally welcome with these wines would be beef brisket, pot roast, braised lamb or smoked duck.

Sommelier Secret

While the region of Bordeaux is limited to a select few approved grape varieties in specified percentages, the New World is free to experiment. Bordeaux blends in California may include equal amounts of Cabernet Franc and Malbec, for example. Occassionally a winemaker might add a small percentage of a non-Bordeaux variety, such as Syrah or Petite Sirah for a desired result.